Liverpool are keen on signing PEC Zwolle centre-back Sepp van den Berg, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The source says that the 17-year-old is thought of fondly around Melwood and – if signed – he would be the same kind of addition Joe Gomez was, with the player expected to be slowly integrated into the first team.
The Echo adds, however, that Bayern Munich and Ajax are also tracking Van den Berg, who stands at 6ft 2 inches [Source: Transfermarkt], and that it would be seen as a ‘coup’ for sporting director Michael Edwards if he landed his man.
The newspaper says that the next three days will be vitally important as to where the player will eventually end up ahead of the new season.
OPINION
Despite only being 17 years of age, Van Den Berg has impressed in his first full season in the Dutch top flight, having been promoted from Zwolle’s academy last summer. He appeared 15 times in the league, including making 10 starts and keeping three clean sheets in that time. What’s more, Van Den Berg made 1.3 key tackles and 2.7 key clearances on average per game in the Erividisie, which shows he is not afraid to get stuck in with his defending and do what is required to keep teams out. Another good stat is that he had an 88.4% pass success rate in the league, and in the modern day, centre-backs who can play the ball well like Van Den Berg are highly valued. Overall, having looked at the statistics, the defender would be a decent signing for Liverpool who could be developed under Jurgen Klopp, with the German having improved Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk in his time at Anfield.
